Indian Air Force launched military exercise near border with Su - 30 MKI fighter jets

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The Indian Air Force on Wednesday launched a big exercise to fly fighter jets from six civilian airbases aiming to boost its ability to undertake military operations from such airbases in case of an emergency.

Over the next few days, a bunch of Su-30 MKI and Hawk 132 combat aircraft will take-off and touch down at Dimapur in Nagaland, Imphal in Manipur, Guwahati, Kolkata, Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and Andal in West Bengal.

The first phase of the exercise, which began on Wednesday will conclude on Saturday whereas the second phase will be conducted between October 29 and November 1. Guwahati, Imphal, Dimapur and Kolkata will be covered in the first phase while Andal and Dimapur will come under the second phase.

Five Sukhoi jets from the IAF Tezpur base and two from Chabua will participate in the drill.

"This is part of our capability building and operational training of undertaking operations from dispersed locations in case of hostilities. The exercise will familiarise the IAF crew with the procedure of flying at these busy airfields and coordinate with civilian counterparts,” Wg Cdr Ratnakar Singh, IAF spokesperson at its eastern command at Shilong told DH.